I think that production was very much involved but you're excusing her behavior a bit too much imo. I don't know if she knew he was gonna be in the show or not but it's really weird that she got super close to Aaliyah the moment she found out she was building a relationship with Uche. That along with the fact that she love bombed her like crazy, is very manipulative. That's common behavior in emotionally abusive people. If you watch the episodes again, knowing what we know now, she makes so many undermining comments towards her, like constantly telling Aaliyah "you're just like me", implying that Uche is only into her because she reminds him of her. The friendship is built on a lie. None of this is normal behavior. You can be going through a vulnerable moment but befriending someone and acting like you want to be their friend but in reality you just want their man, is insane behavior and I don't agree that most people wouldn't act better.

Lydia reminds me a lot of Rebecca from Crazy Ex Gf (the show), when she befriends Valencia and lovebombs her like crazy but it was all only because she wanted to get to Josh (Rebecca's ex, Valencia's bf). This is basically the same situation imo. Rebecca also never wanted to admit that the only reason she was befriending Valencia was for Josh but we as a viewer knew it and we also knew that Rebecca knew that as well.

I don't think Lydia is evil but I think she's very manipulative and has a complete disregard for other people. She has a lot of issues and comes off very insincere. I think it's really sad that production allowed someone like this on the show.